Croatia marks 35th anniversary of severing ties with Yugoslavia

Croatia marks the 35th anniversary of the Day of the Croatian Parliament, commemorating the historic decision made on October 8, 1991, to sever all legal and state ties with the former Yugoslavia (SFRJ).

The decision was reached under extreme circumstances following a Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) airstrike on October 7, 1991, which targeted Banske dvore in Zagreb, the seat of the state leadership including President Franjo Tuđman. Due to the immediate threat of further attacks, the parliamentary session was moved from its traditional location to a basement in the INA building on Šubićeva Street.

During this session, the Parliament unanimously declared that Croatia no longer recognized any legal bodies or acts of the former SFRJ. Vladimir Šeks, who helped draft the decision, noted its historical significance, comparing it to the 1918 severance of ties with Austria-Hungary. The day, which was previously celebrated as Independence Day, is now observed as a memorial day.